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Reviews by Amy M. (Southlake, TX)

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Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them
by Gina Kolata
Mercies in Disguise (11/25/2016)
When the Baxley family realizes they have a genetic disorder, GSS, that results in the death of many family members, the younger Baxley's decide not to wait and see if they have the mutation that could be passed on to their children. What would you do? Would you live your life not knowing if you would die from this disease and maybe pass it on to your children, or be tested and plan the rest of your life? This book tells about Amanda's decision to plan her life, coupled with the personal family touch, gave the reader much to contemplate. Medical studies were written in such a way as to give the reader information they could understand. I enjoyed this book a lot.
The Opposite of Everyone
by Joshilyn Jackson
The Opposite of Everyone (11/29/2015)
Thank you to Book Browse for the ARC of The Opposite of Everyone, by Joshilyn Jackson, I am anxious to share this book with Carroll Senior High Book Club, Southlake, TX. Once I got into this book, I was hooked. Having just recently losing my mother, I was caught up in the mother/daughter dynamics and how her mother, Kai, despite many shortcomings, always wanted her daughter to be proud of her roots and succeed in life. This book is full of love, twists, and finding the true meaning of family and real love. I loved the ending and how everything came together so sweetly, despite some unpleasantness along the way. I hope readers will give this book a chance and learn as much about themselves as I did.
Maud's Line
by Margaret Verble
Maud's Line (7/3/2015)
Thank you to Book Browse for the ARC of Maud's Line. Growing up in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area and hearing and reading stories of the Cherokee Indians and their lives, made this book special to me. Maud, an 18 year old Cherokee Indian, grew up in 1928 without her mother and had to spend her days caring for her odd brother, Lovely, and irritable father, Mustard. Although resolved to successfully run the farm and care for her menfolk, a handsome peddler, Booker, turns her thoughts and her heart towards a different life. Love, murder, illness, and family challenges fill this book with how much courage it took to survive life on a farm during this time period. This book will remind you of the courage seen in the settlers of My Antonia by Willa Cather.
Fishbowl: A Novel
by Bradley Somer
fishbowl (5/2/2015)
Thank you to Book Browse and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of fishbowl, by Bradley Somer. I LOVED this book, reading it in one day. This story is about Ian, a daring goldfish, who jumps from his bowl and the 27th floor of the Seville on Roxy, an aging apartment complex which houses very real characters who will capture your imagination, steal your hearts, and result in you taking time to consider how much you know about those who live around you. Ian's journey towards his final destination will stay in my head for a long time. I am anxious to share this book with my friends and teacher book club. Thank you, Mr. Somer, for writing such a readable, entertaining, and though provoking book.
The Wild Girl
by Kate Forsyth
The Wild Girl (4/8/2015)
The title, The Wild Girl, open your imagination for a great adventure in storytelling and I am not disappointed. I am still reading this advance reading copy from BookBrowse and am excited to finish it, but wanted other readers to get excited for a good book. The characters are memorable, especially 12 year old Dortchen Wild and all the Grimm brothers. The historical discussions about Napoleon Bonaparte are also interesting and informative. I look forward to sharing my this book with our teacher book club. This is storytelling at its best.
He Wanted the Moon: The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and His Daughter's Quest to Know Him
by Mimi Baird with Eve Claxton
He Wanted the Moon (2/9/2015)
Thanks to BookBrowse for the ARC of this book. I learned a lot about people suffering mental disorders and how their families learn to cope with episodes of illness. I think all adult readers will enjoy this book and feel great empathy for Dr. Baird as well as his family and friends who cared about him.

It was an informative book about the state of mental hospitals how they treated and mistreated patients, due to experimentation because of lack of knowledge about certain conditions. I was glad that Mimi found answers to her past and about her father. I am glad I had the chance to read this book.
The Last Flight of Poxl West
by Daniel Torday
The Last Flight of Poxl West (12/29/2014)
Once I started, I couldn't put it down. There are so many things to learn when reading a story about the men who serve in the armed forces. What they go through is informative, but we don't always think about their emotions, their lives-past and present, and how they are touched other than physical harm. Uncle Poxl and his nephew, Eli, take us on a journey that will not soon be forgotten. Their lives and the lives of their families and loved ones and their losses, both physical and emotional, will stay with the reader forever. I hope everyone reads this book. It is a great book club selection.
The Same Sky
by Amanda Eyre Ward
The Same Sky (11/8/2014)
Thanks to Book Browse for the advanced copy of the same sky, by Amanda Eyre Ward. This book appealed to me on many levels. As a resident of Texas, I enjoyed the familiar descriptions of the cities and the people who make Texas a great place to live. As a breast cancer survivor, I related to Alice and the courage of the many women who fight this battle to survive and raise their families. As Immigration is a major topic in Texas, I appreciated Carla's struggle to come to America and shed many tears with her. Her courage and determination to succeed was very inspiring. As. Retired high school teacher, I felt a great closeness with Principal Marion as she fought to keep her school alive, test scores passing, and maintain a normal life outside of school. Her student, Evian, reminded me of so many students who search for who they want to become while struggling with many issues at home. This book was wonderful, reminding me of House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros and The Book of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez. I will share this book and foresee it being a book club selection in our school. Thanks again.
The Book of Strange New Things: A Novel
by Michel Faber
The Book of Strange New Things (8/25/2014)
I am not a Science Fiction reader, but this book was written so reader friendly that I had trouble putting it down. I loved the references to religious ideas and thought a lot about the scriptures chosen for this book. I was intrigued with the setting and became quiet fond of the Jesus Lovers, caring about what happened to them and how Peter related to them. I agree with the reviewer who so no need for the sexual scenes. I felt a little disappointed in the ending, feeling like the author ended the book too fast and left me feeling like a lot was not explored. This book was well-written and interesting to read.
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